Share your poetry, novels, music and art at The Writers Circle

The Writers' Circle

So many Writers, yet so Few Enthusiasts by DeUndrae

RankMost active authors
1
Jan Phillips (35)
2
louis kasatkin (93)
3
Eddie Larkin (96)
4
brian dunn (187)
5
computer101 (31)
6
RedeemedAshes (22)
7
Truthwielder (58)
8
evakaye (274)
9
The Unforgiving Minute (19)
10
Adrian (18)
11
angeliki largatzis (11)
12
troy universe (17)
13
Wombat (47)
14
notebook (157)
15
bobthebuilder (6)
16
Doggerel Banksy (6)
17
jimbob (31)
18
yayati madan g gandhi (5)
19
Rai Pager (21)
20
bowenlizzie (4)
21
wolfeyesofgoldenrays (199)
22
CaseyPowers (20)
23
Aurora (10)
24
navlohoe (38)
25
IanMeechan (10)

So many Writers, yet so Few Enthusiasts

By DeUndrae | Posted: 05 June 2009

Views: 357
I got bored browsing the web, so I said, "Why not go to the Writers Circle to critique some works." After I did a few (or many) critiques, I decided to go to the Valued Contributors section to look where I was standing as a contributor (I owe the thanks to Reiner for helping us keep track with that one post.) I stood somewhere in the first page, so I wondered, "how are my other writers?" So I clicked to the second page. Third page. Fourth page. Let's see how many writers are actually in this circle I thought to myself the moment I clicked on the eigth page. Eight soon became eleven. Fourteen. Sixteen then I stopped. I glared at the contributions the people made any I was shocked. Zero feedback. Zero articles. I clicked further and further down the website, only to see seventeen webpages of people actually giving nothing to the Writers' Circle. Nothing.

Why do people even join the writers' circle if they're doing nothing to support it? Ten, I can see, but more than fifty, possibly one hundred? That is a shame. A crying shame. Now I see why Reiner and JD Higginson and Zion 613 wanted everyone to critique more often. A lack of time isn't an excuse for these people. Not for people who can contribute something. Just one critique to build the writer up or to encourage him or her by saying they care. Just one article so we can practice critiquing it and help the writer with the flaws of the piece.

I hope Carl doesn't have to make a rule stating that if you join, you have to make a certain number of critiques per month, but I feel that we'll might just go down that path of discipline--might just use the snake of fines to punish people who don't give a critique to keep this site alive. If this happens, I fear for us all, so to everyone who contributes (saying oh, at least 40 feedback and at least 5 articles if you've been here for at least a three months), thank you.

Keep this site alive!
All articles on this website by DeUndrae are copyright ©DeUndrae and should not be reproduced without the author's prior written consent. All opinions are the opinions of their respective authors and are not necessarily the opinions of The Writers' Circle.
Comments 
DeUndrae
05 June 2009
Oh yeah, I haven't critiqued as much as Reiner or Zion613 or JDHigginson (sorry if I spelled any of your usernames wrong.), but their number of contributions, along with Reiner's post, as everyone else might agree, inspired me to critique more often. So to everyone whose contributions are over 100, thank you. Without you we wouldn't have as more comments than we actually deserve.

2 thumbs up for them.
zion613
05 June 2009
I agree with this post emphatically. It only takes a moment to comment on a piece - at least say "I liked this" or "This could use some polishing." Writers post because they want to improve their writing - if people read without commenting, the entire purpose of this site is frustrated.

That said, I used to try to comment on every single work posted - I apologize that I can't do that anymore. I'm working a lot more intensely on my novel now, so until it's done, I have to scale back a little bit.

I thank everyone who works to make this site the encouraging and educational forum it is! ;)
DeUndrae
05 June 2009
I see you agree with my point. Well, I knew I needed to critique more often (I've could've critique more during high school, but, well, laziness.) If people join in yet don't give anything to the Writers' Circle it'll give this site a bad reputation to other people who want to join this site. Plus, as you said, Zion613, doing this same thing also burdens the site's purpose. If I give at least one critique, one comment to someone else's piece then I made someone feel good, I supported that person, I encouraged him or her or taught thim something to improve, which its also a good thing; otherwise I'll feel like a jerk. It's better to give a bad critique than no critique, a harsh-sounding critique that'll in the end sound supportive to the writer than just sit and give a kudo or read the piece then leave. That's why I don't give kudos anymore--well try to at least: it doesn't help build me up in any way so I suspect it doesn't build you up. Besides, it can sound deadlier than a critique since the reader didn't give any reasons why. He just says, "This is good," or "This sucks," and it's from there we lose or self-esteem and think we're not good enough. Okay, that's how I feel when I receive a kudo.

The point I'm trying to make is this: don't join the site if you'll do nothing to help it. Think it's be free to receive every comment on your articles until you realize you have to do the hard work. Actually, I like hard work, and I know those who keep coming to the site do. That's all.

Thanks
Yves44
05 June 2009
It's a bit of a cliche but you can only get out what you put in - so it is in everyones interest to be more active in giving comments.  Certainly from my perspective when I receive a comment or some guidance from someone I will make the effort to find out what their style of writing is like and give them the benefit of my thoughts on their work.  A bit of positive payback!
DeUndrae
05 June 2009
True, the site's only as useful as much as we put in., though I'm still worried about all those people who did nothing. Maybe it wasn't right for them, I don't know. But we, the ones who come to this site regularly, have to keep the site alive, unless for some reason you're in an accident or issues with family or job.

DeUndrae
Dragonwriter
06 June 2009
It is sad that so many people do not critique. I try to critique as many works as I can, but it is disheartening when you look at how many works aren't commented on at all. It also seems like a peice only gets a glance at before it's squished under the weight of other peices- if everyone critiqued twice as much as they posted, it wouldn't be nearly as much of an issue, and every peice would get some attention. It also seems like people join for a month and then forget about the site, becoming another name on the list of contributors. You're exactly right; it is a shame...
Jennifer Munro
07 June 2009
Very interesting post. It's nice to see some committment and , as you say, if you join then at least participate. I remember reading one of your articles and suggesting you read one of mine. I'd be interested in your comments as a SOuth African. This is it http://www.writerscircle.biz/Contrib/Threads/1258.aspx. If the link doesn't work go to my page and click on SALIVATE - FE
Anne Wills
09 July 2009
I think this site is great for both posting your own work for comment and being able to see the work of other unpublished authors.  I have given the site address to others I know who might be interested in having a read - even non writers - as I feel genuine feedback is difficult to get from friends and family.

Why would you post work if you did not want to get a comment back, and who is going to comment if we do not?
Shakespril
16 March 2010
I strongly agree!

^_^

Writer
DeUndrae

Total posts:
141
Roles: Writer
UNITED STATES
I'm Deundrae. I've been writing for a period of time now when it comes to short stories--though I haven't the time to write with college coming--but I still have lots to learn before being published (I ... (Read more)